Staff Reports | Community Updates
Scottsdale is now accepting nominations for its annual Scottsdale Salutes program, which honors veterans, active-duty military, and members of the National Guard and reserves with ties to the community.
Banners featuring selected honorees will be displayed on light poles in Old Town for two weeks in November, with a special reception recognizing them during Veterans Day events, according to a press release.
Nominees must live in Scottsdale, have lived here previously, or have a strong local connection, such as working in the city for at least five years, the release states.
Nominations are open through Friday, Sept. 26, at ScottsdaleAZ.gov by searching “Scottsdale Salutes.”
In addition to seeing their banners displayed in Old Town, Scottsdale Salutes honorees will be guests of honor at a special reception held in November and invited to walk in the annual Parada del Sol Historic Parade.
“Scottsdale Salutes allows us to say, ‘thank you’ in a meaningful way to the veterans and military members who are part of our community,” said Justin Layman, chair of the Scottsdale Veterans Advisory Commission. “Each honoree reminds us that our freedoms are secured by courage and sacrifice — we are honored to share their stories with the community.”
Scottsdale Salutes is among a handful of programs initiated under the guidance of the city’s Veterans Advisory Commission, seven residents appointed by the City Council to advise on veteran programs, policies and practices and serve as a community connection point for veterans and the military community.
Scottsdale earned the U.S. Department of Defense’s “Top Performer” designation from the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration for its annual Vietnam veterans recognition event and other efforts.
In May, Scottsdale Communications & Public Affairs Director Kelly Corsette was honored with the Copper Star Award by Unified Arizona Veterans and the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society.
Mr. Corsette serves as the staff liaison to the Veterans Advisory Commission meanwhile he has earned the Copper Star for his leadership in Scottsdale’s veterans initiatives including Veterans AZ, Scottsdale Salutes and Vietnam Veterans Day.
Scottsdale, founded by and named for United States Army veteran Chaplain Winfield Scott, is home to many locations that honor veterans. In 2024 the city launched the Scottsdale Veterans Trail, an online story map highlighting more than a dozen local places of honor, including:
• The Scottsdale Memorial for the Fallen at City Hall
• McCormick-Stillman Railroad Park, home to Arizona’s “Merci Cardquo;, sent as a gift of gratitude by the French people after World War II.
• Thunderbird Field II Veterans Memorial at Scottsdale Airport
